Monreal joined the Gunners from Malaga in January – though Sagna confesses he knew little about the Spaniard before his move – and made his debut for the north London club just two days after his deadline day transfer was completed.

Something of a baptism of fire, the 26-year-old was thrust into action against Tony Pulis’ physical Stoke City, but has seen his new side record back-to-back clean sheets in the league for the first time since August 2012.

“I didn’t know much about him [before he came to Arsenal],” Sagna told Arsenal's official website.

“I had a chance to speak with Santi Cazorla and he talked about him. He looks good. He had a great game in his first game.

“It’s not easy because he only trained with us once before. I wouldn’t like to be in his position, but he did well.

“It was a difficult game to play in, with a lot of physicality and a lot of challenges. We won and everyone is happy.”